Randy, I heard they were coming out with a diesel in 2014. Have you researched that as an option?

That's what I really wanted and had also heard that they might be available in the Wrangler for 2014. Unfortunately they decided to put it in the Grand Cherokee and see how the market accepts it before they consider putting it in any different models.

Dee has a V-6 turbo diesel in her ML320, it's essentially the same engine they are putting in the Grand Cherokee since it was developed jointly by MB and Chrysler. It has great power, is very quiet and gets 30+ mpg on the highway.

However, the other thing I heard from the Jeep sales manager is that 2014 will be the last year for the solid front axle in the Wrangler. They will supposedly go with an IFS type front axle in 2015, but I am always a little dubious of the accuracy of info like this. We'll see.

Dee has a V-6 turbo diesel in her ML320, it's essentially the same engine they are putting in the Grand Cherokee since it was developed jointly by MB and Chrysler. It has great power, is very quiet and gets 30+ mpg on the highway.

We just looked at a R320 MB with that diesel in it. It's the minivan/wagon version. Any other input on that engine?

We're in the market for a new to us family ride because Michelle's Honda was the victim of a nasty hit and run downtown. Thankfully, her and the kids were not in the van. She was volunteering just before Christmas for the Dolls for Daughters event. Someone plowed into the van, took the time to leave a bogus note with fake phone number and drove off. Denver PD wouldn't even take a report or come to the scene. Van has been in the shop ever since. Merry Christmas to us. It's just metal and plastic though, so who cares? It can all be replaced.

We just looked at a R320 MB with that diesel in it. It's the minivan/wagon version. Any other input on that engine?

We're in the market for a new to us family ride because Michelle's Honda was the victim of a nasty hit and run downtown. Thankfully, her and the kids were not in the van. She was volunteering just before Christmas for the Dolls for Daughters event. Someone plowed into the van, took the time to leave a bogus note with fake phone number and drove off. Denver PD wouldn't even take a report or come to the scene. Van has been in the shop ever since. Merry Christmas to us. It's just metal and plastic though, so who cares? It can all be replaced.

Its been a really good engine. Were at 80K+ on it (2007 model year) and other than oil & air filter changes the only other repair was to replace a defective cam position sensor at 50K miles.

However, the other thing I heard from the Jeep sales manager is that 2014 will be the last year for the solid front axle in the Wrangler. They will supposedly go with an IFS type front axle in 2015, but I am always a little dubious of the accuracy of info like this. We'll see.

This Just In
• We are not sure whether Automotive News got this right, but one of its reporters, after interviewing Jeep Chief Mike Manley, thought Manley was hinting that the next generation Wrangler would have (are you sitting down?) IFS. The change would be done in the name of fuel economy; IFS is lighter than a solid axle. “We’re already in an environment where it’s a challenge to produce a vehicle in that way, and it’s going to get harder,” Manley said of the solid-axle Wrangler. “What I can tell you is that the vehicle is absolutely fundamental to our DNA, and it’s going to become progressively harder to make sure that the vehicle meets all of the standards that are required for it.” AN says the change, if it happens, will come when the Wrangler is revised for 2016. However, we have more background information than our colleagues at AN, and we bet it won’t be as bad as what they inferred.

“What I can tell you is that the vehicle is absolutely fundamental to our DNA, and it’s going to become progressively harder to make sure that the vehicle meets all of the standards that are required for it.”

More CAFE nonsense.

Mark

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